June, 2007
Publican Martin runs in memory of his brother-in-law
A publican, who gave up running 20 years ago, has started training again to raise money in memory of his brother-in-law who died aged 38 from the heart muscle disease cardiomyopathy.
Martin Guidera, 50, who has the Queen Adelaide public house in London Road, Shenley, Herts, and his friend Scott Baker, 30, from Dunster Court, Borehamwood, are running the British London 10k to raise money for the Cardiomyopathy Association.
They are taking part in the run, around London’s historic sites, in tribute to Richard (Dick) Saunders, who died from cardiomyopathy in December 2005. Richard was the brother of Martin’s wife Justine.
The condition, which affects people of all ages, is the biggest medical cause of sudden death in young people. The Cardiomyopathy Association is a charity that offers information and support to affected families, and funds medical care.
Martin was a long distance runner, completing 10k challenges and half marathons when he lived in Ireland. But since coming to England in 1986 he has lived a more sedentary lifestyle.
He said: “I started running again in January and am running three times a week, gradually building up distances. I’m hoping to complete the London 10k in around 45 minutes and raise more than £500 for the Cardiomyopathy Association.”
Scott, who works in IT support, used to play football regularly but gave up eight years ago when he suffered a knee injury. He said: “I wanted a way of getting fit again and this run was something to aim for. I joined a gym and have been going three times a week and taking advice from the instructors.”
He is hoping to run a similar time and raise a similar amount for the Cardiomyopathy Association. Both men are also hoping to raise money from fundraising events at the pub.
Cardiomyopathy, which is often inherited, affects around 1 in 500 people of all ages, including babies, and each week around four young people in the UK die from it. But with early diagnosis and treatment many sufferers are able to live long and full lives. So the Cardiomyopathy Association also campaigns for more heart checks and gene testing for affected families to find out who is at risk and to save lives.
For more information about cardiomyopathy, call the Cardiomyopathy Association on 0800 081 1024 or see the website www.cardiomyopathy.org
Note to Editors
For more information call Sarah Dennis, Information Manager, Cardiomyopathy Association, 01494 791224 or e-mail sarah.dennis@cardiomyopathy.org
Dedicated to Damian McLoughlin, who died age 20 of cardiomyopathy. This site is supported by Damian's family and friends.
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